Page 6 of Wings of Betrayal

Her lips twitch, and she takes a sip before setting her teacup down. “Nice, isn’t it?”

I set mine down too. “It’s delicious. And it works. I feel relaxed already.”

She brushes her hands over her deep-burgundy gown, the fabric shimmering with the movement.

“The reason I wanted to talk to you in private, aside from getting to know you better, was that I wanted to clear something up. Kyle confided in me what happened when you were last here.” She holds her hand up when I open my mouth to speak. “It’s all right. He and I are close, and he confides in me often. I know it must have been difficult coming here and seeing how close he and Em appear to be, but I can assure you—that’s all on Em’s side.”

She tilts her head as she studies me, and my cheeks flush.

“My son is quite smitten by you. I have never seen him like this before. Yes, I know he was on Earth for a decade of his life, but I know my son. He doesn’t look at just anyone the way he looks at you. You’re special, Zarla, just like your mother was. We all sense it.”

I swallow the lump in my throat at the mention of my mother. Zeta’s comments are unexpected, and they send warmth through me, knowing that I am as special to Kyle as he is to me.

“Em has always had feelings for Kyle, but he has never reciprocated them.”

I nod before meeting her eyes. “I appreciate you telling me.”

She studies me for a moment, and I have to look away. I really like Zeta, but I don’t know her well enough yet to feel completely comfortable around her. I can’t wait until we have that relationship, but it takes time to build that connection and trust.

“Did you know he tried to get into Silanthia to find you?”

I knit my brows together as I stare at her. I didn’t know that, and I can’t help but wonder why he wasn’t able to get through.

“The Gateway wouldn’t allow him through. We believe someone sealed it somehow, but I’ve never heard of such a thing.Someone has gone to great lengths to keep the two of you apart. Do you have any idea who that could be?”

I do. Amaros. But I’m not ready to talk to her about it. I’m still trying to understand his motives and whether they are sinister. Yes, he told me he wanted to rule the Kingdom with me someday, but he also deeply cares for me, and I don’t believe he would hurt me. But keeping Kyle and me apart? That isn’t okay.

She raises her brows at me, and I shake myself out of my own thoughts.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “It could have been Hethenos, but I don’t know.”

I don’t know if she believes my answer, but she lets it go.

“I must admit, I always thought Kyle and Em would end up together.”

I tense at her words. The thought of Em and Kyle together does not sit well with me. I don’t think of myself as a jealous female, but maybe I’m overthinking it, and maybe that’s all this is. I don’t know her like Zeta does, like Kyle does.

She raises her hands in the air and chuckles. “I can feel that possessive and jealous energy. What I mean is I once thought that, but I do not believe it to be true any longer. You and Kyle are… How do I put it?” She pauses as she thinks of the right words, her features wrinkling ever so slightly. “You are destined for one another. I can feel it.” She places her free hand over her chest, emphasizing her words before picking up her teacup and taking a sip.

“I think so too. Whenever I’m around him, I feel at ease. I feel whole. Like he completes my soul somehow. It’s hard to explain, and that probably sounds silly.” Heat rises in my cheeks as I reach for my teacup and finish it.

“Not at all. It sounds like love.”

Sensing my discomfort, she changes the subject.

“There’s something else I wanted to ask you. Due to the rising tensions, it’s been difficult to meet with or even send word to Harlum. But I fear this situation cannot go on. We need to meet to discuss the situation on Earth. Zalore, too. Angels from both Kingdoms are being slaughtered, and no King wants that.”

I place my teacup down and run my fingers through my hair. A meeting with Harlum is a big ask. He does not like the archangels, and I doubt he’d even listen to me anyway. But I have to try. Zeta is right—this situation can’t continue unchecked. And I know he wouldn’t want innocent blood on his hands.

“I’ll ask,” I say. “But I can’t make any promises.”

She gives me a small smile. “I understand, and I appreciate that. Your words hold more weight than ours. I will hold on to hope that his concerns mirror our own.”

I pick at my nails in my lap, thinking of the best way to ask Zeta something that’s been on my mind for weeks now. Taking a deep breath, I build the courage to ask.

“A memory came back to me from when I was young. A memory of my mother’s murder.”

Zeta’s eyes grow wide, and she leans in toward me, taking my hand. “Oh, Zarla, I’m so sorry.”

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